Folk customs of Gansu

Gansu province has three national historical and cultural ancient cities, 14 major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level, 433 major historical and cultural sites protected at the provincial level, and 26 natural reserves for animals and plants.

Gansu boasts famous historic and cultural sites, folk customs and beautiful legends.

The Tianshui and Longnan region are located in the southeast of Gansu province. They are well-known for their long history, abundant products and colorful folk customs. Fuxi is a legendary figure considered the ancestor of all Chinese people. He was the first of the Three Sovereigns of ancient China and a cultural hero reputed to be the inventor of writing, fishing and trapping. Fuxi culture is well-known in Tianshui. Qin culture and the culture of the Three Kingdoms (AD 220-280) are also very popular in Tianshui’s folk customs.

Tianshui holds the Fuxi temple fair every year on the 16th day of the first lunar month and Fuxi cultural festival on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month. They serve as highlights of Tianshui’s folk custom activities.

Historical relics such as the ancient battlefield of the Three Kingdoms, Yinping ancient road, Jiangwei Temple, and the lantern lighting ceremony at the lantern festival make Tianshui an important place in the Three Kingdoms history.

Gannan and Linxia autonomous prefectures are the gathering places for Tibetan, Hui, Dongxiang, Baoan and Sala ethnic groups. The Labrang Monastery not only has beautiful architecture but also religious activities. The elegant Linxia Mosque is a place where Muslims pray. The grand Hua Er Festivals held in Lianhua Mountain and Songming Hill fully display the folk customs of Linxia.

Gannan and Linxia autonomous prefectures are well-known for their folk customs, including the Langshan Festival, flower-picking festival in the Gannan autonomous prefecture, and the wedding and eating customs of Dongxiang and Baoan ethnic groups.

Qingyang and Pingliang are located in the east of Gansu province, an area famous for Kongtong Mountain (the holy land of Taoism), Wangmugong Mountain, and temple fairs in Gongliu Temple and Buddha Mountain. Traditional folk cultures such as suona plays, paper-cutting and shehuo performance are particularly fascinating.

Folk customs are also popular in Dingxi and Baiyin of Gansu province. Longxi is well-known as the original home of the surname Li. Min county’s production of Chinese angelica has made it an influential county in China and abroad.

Hexi Corridor is not only known as a granary of Gansu, but also an important path of the Silk Road. Its folk customs, legends and historical sites are attractive to visitors.

Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu, also has colorful folk customs, including the Yellow River ancient ferry, Wuquanshan temple fair and Gaolan Lantern Festival.